As a result of three years of on-the-ground behavior change communication work and research on H5N1 in over 19 countries, AED pooled its research and other lessons learned and designed a communication conceptual framework that can be used to respond to avian flu outbreaks and other epizootics. An interactive website is forthcoming to showcase the "Communication Conceptual Framework for AHI and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases."

The framework is based on a six-part premise: 1) With awareness and understanding of the background context, 2) the selection of strategies and interventions are designed to act upon behavioral determinants, which in turn will 3) act upon behavioral determinants, which in turn will, 4) influence specific behaviors and activities, 5) that can affect viral transmission, thus 6) preventing new infections. In each step, users of the framework can select an array of choices for the context (e.g., production systems, political and organizational structure, endemicity, socioeconomic factors); strategies and interventions (e.g., communication, policy, capacity building, private sector partnerships, reporting and surveillance); behavioral determinants (e.g., external or internal); desired actions (e.g., reservoir control, blocking actions, preventing infection within the target group); biological determinants (e.g., risk of viral transmission); and outcomes (e.g., infections averted).

This framework can be used in a variety of settings - urban and rural, developing and industry settings - and applied to avian and human influenzas as well as other emerging infectious diseases. As we move into new areas (emerging infectious diseases and possibly malaria and dengue in Thailand), new opportunities to test and further develop the Conceptual Framework are in the offing.

AI.COMM commissioned a qualitative research study on prevalent values and beliefs with regard to Avian Influenza, which was conducted by Quantum Marketing Research. The results of the research study were shared with stakeholders at the 3-day Avian Influenza Communication Planning Workshop in Islamabad, Pakistan. The participants belonged to the Livestock Department of the Federal and all Provincial Governments, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, poultry research institutes, Agricultural and Livestock Universities, the Pakistan Poultry Association, wet-market and slaughterers’ associations, poultry, transporters’ associations, communication professionals from international donor agencies, international NGOs, private and state-run television and radio channels, poets, journalists, etc.

On day-1 the results of the research were shared and in-depth by all the participants of the workshop. On day-2 and day-3, a group of 50 selected participants from various related fields worked together to develop the components of the National AI Communication Plan which addresses audiences like poultry farmers, transporters, sanitary workers, domestic and institutional consumers, opinion leaders and various types of vendors involved in the poultry supply-chain. Message development exercises targeting these audiences were conducted on day-3 with the help of ‘creative briefs’.

Bringing the Community Together to Plan for Disease Outbreaks and Other Emergencies: A Step-by-Step Guide for Community Leaders

AI Communicator, Issue 3

AI.COMMunicator highlights our recent AI.COMM activities. Covering country and regional programs and communication development, the document will come out bi-weekly. Click here to read or download the document.

Cambodia Training Video for Farmers

Cambodia training video for farmers was developed with FAO/Cambodia to demonstrate the best practices for keeping poultry healthy and well. The four-segments include separation, fencing, and transporting poultry. Click here to download the video.

Snapshots from the Field

Click here
to download a copy of Snapshots
from the Field, a collection of project highlights
that serve as guides to effective communication tools and
techniques to heighten awareness and respond to outbreaks of
the virus.

AED (the Academy for Educational Development) herewith provides notice to all its vendors, subcontractors, personal services contractors and other individuals and organizations with any outstanding right to payment, including check payments that have not been deposited or presented for payment ("creditors") that the project AI.COMM ends on November 30, 2009. Creditors are herewith invited to submit their request for payment upon completion of their work and submission of their deliverables for any unpaid amounts due under AI.COMM together with the necessary documentation supporting their requests. Requests must be received no later than October 31, 2009. Please submit all requests before October 31, 2009 to aicommcloseout@gmail.com, attention: Trudy-Ann Farnum, AI.COMM Finance Manager. Claims for payment to local AI.COMM representatives will not be honored.